ANIMAL FORUM

Deer death toll slashed

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The number of deer killed on a notorious stretch of road through
Ashridge forest has plunged since innovative deterrents were
installed.
Herts County Council revealed on Friday that its been a year since
Hertfordshire Highways installed measures to cut the number of deer
collisions along the B4506 through Ashridge Forest, near Hemel
Hempstead, including an acoustic device which sounds when motorists
pass, stopping deer from crossing the road.

If the pilot schemes success continues, it is hoped it will be rolled
out across the county and the country.

An average of 120 deer a year were killed at this blackspot between
2000 and 2004, Three Counties Partnership figures revealed. In 2006-07
that figure fell to 90.

In May 2006, interactive signs were installed, which flash to forewarn
drivers when deer move onto the verge. The flashing sign also appears
if motorists exceed the 50mph speed limit. Last October, special
Slovenian acoustic devices were installed to give off sound when
passed by motorists, stopping deer from crossing the road. The
measures cost Ł20,000.

Each year, nationally, there are more than 30,000 deer related traffic
collisions, resulting in 250 human injuries and Ł10.5 million worth of
damage.

Accidents involving deer are at their highest between October and
December, as dusk